5 Best Stocks to Buy Today
| Company (Ticker) | 12 Week Price Change | Forward PE | Price | Proj EPS Growth (1 Year) | Projected Sales Growth (1Y) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerra Gold (CGAU) | 44.53% | 11.11 | $16.13 | 47.56% | NA |
| Aris Mining Corporation (ARMN) | 82.28% | 5.06 | $18.10 | 159.42% | NA |
| Ero Copper (ERO) | 41.99% | 7.12 | $29.52 | 99.98% | 37.93% |
| Allied Gold Corporation (AAUC) | 52.51% | 4.81 | $27.62 | 315.19% | 45.35% |
| Forum Energy Technologies (FET) | 35.51% | 25.63 | $41.90 | 197.27% | 2.75% |
*Updated on January 19, 2026.
Centerra Gold (CGAU)
$16.13 USD +0.07 (0.44%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
Premium Research for CGAU
- Zacks Rank
Strong Buy 1
- Style Scores
B Value B Growth A Momentum A VGM
- Market Cap: $3.22 B (Mid Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth:38.03%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth:32.00%
- Last EPS Surprise: 50.00%
- Next EPS Report date: Feb. 19, 2026
Our Take:
Reasons to Buy
Centerra is a gold-copper miner anchored by Mount Milligan in British Columbia and Öksüt in Türkiye. In the last reported quarter, operations generated strong free cash flow and lifted liquidity, underpinned by higher realized prices and solid output. A new Mount Milligan PFS extends mine life to 2045 and increases reserves, reinforcing a fully funded growth plan that doesn’t rely on external capital and adds long-duration exposure to both metals. That longevity marks a notable step-up versus prior periods.
Potential Risks
The Mount Milligan plan requires phased capital and tailings investments; delays or overruns could compress returns. Multi-jurisdiction exposure also brings permitting and operating risks.
Forecast
A Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) with B for Value and Growth and A for Momentum points to favorable revisions with support from both quality and trend. The chart shows the stock advancing as 2026–2027 EPS lines trend higher, a constructive backdrop as estimates keep rising.
Aris Mining Corporation (ARMN)
$18.10 USD -0.14 (-0.77%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
Premium Research for ARMN
- Zacks Rank
Strong Buy 1
- Style Scores
C Value A Growth B Momentum A VGM
- Market Cap:$3.70 B (Mid Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth:305.88%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth: 39.13%
- Last EPS Surprise:33.33%
- Next EPS Report date:March 11, 2026
Our Take:
Reasons to Buy
Aris is a Colombia-focused gold producer operating Segovia and Marmato with growth options at Soto Norte and Toroparu. Recent results marked record revenue and adjusted EBITDA as Segovia’s second mill ramped, while net debt fell sharply and liquidity improved, an inflection point versus a year ago. The pipeline advanced with technical studies and Marmato’s Bulk Mining Zone is on track for the second half of 2026, extending multiyear growth visibility.
Potential Risks
Execution risk around Marmato construction and Segovia ramp-up could pressure costs. Colombia permitting and social dynamics, and multi-jurisdictional project exposure, add regulatory and timeline uncertainty. Gold price volatility remains a swing factor.
Forecast
Zacks Rank #1 with C Value, A Growth and B Momentum score signals earnings-estimate strength led by growth factors. The chart depicts a sharp price uptrend alongside rising 2026–2027 consensus lines and a beat-skewed surprise pattern, supportive if ramp-up milestones hold.
Ero Copper (ERO)
$29.52 USD -0.47 (-1.57%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
Premium Research for ERO
- Zacks Rank
Strong Buy 1
- Style Scores
C Value B Growth A Momentum A VGM
- Market Cap:$3.07 B (Mid Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth: 165.38%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth:-41.30%
- Last EPS Surprise: -25.00%
- Next EPS Report date:March 5, 2026
Our Take:
Reasons to Buy
Ero is a Brazil-based copper producer with Caraíba undergrounds, the new Tucumã open pit and the Xavantina gold mine. In Q3 2025, consolidated copper output hit a record as Tucumã ramped and Caraíba held steady. Unit costs improved and cash flow increased compared to earlier periods. Liquidity remains adequate, and an initiative to monetize high-grade gold concentrates adds ancillary upside, a marked improvement from pre-Tucumã quarters.
Potential Risks
Ramp-up and cost discipline at Tucumã are critical as slippage could erode margins. Brazil's macro scenario, foreign exchange and permitting create operating noise, and copper prices remain cyclical.
Forecast
A Zacks Rank #1 with Style Scores of C for Value, B for Growth and A for Momentum indicates positive revisions with strong trend support. The chart shows a decisive price breakout as 2026–2027 EPS estimates climb. Recent surprises look mostly favorable, reinforcing momentum if production continues to scale.
Allied Gold Corporation (AAUC)
$27.62 USD +0.50 (1.84%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
Premium Research for AAUC
- Zacks Rank
Strong Buy 1
- Style Scores
B Value A Growth F Momentum B VGM
- Market Cap:$3.45 B (Mid Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth: 885.71%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth:107.14%
- Last EPS Surprise:-38.30%
- Next EPS Report date:March 30, 2026
Our Take:
Reasons to Buy
Allied is a multi-asset African gold producer with Sadiola in Mali and the Côte d’Ivoire complex, plus the Kurmuk build in Ethiopia. Q3 2025 results showed 87,020 oz production, improved AISC versus Q2, rising cash, and guidance reiterated for a stronger Q4, evidence of sequential operational progress. The growth path is visible through Sadiola expansions and Kurmuk, where the first gold targeted in mid-2026, positioning output to rise materially from recent levels.
Potential Risks
Jurisdictional risk remains elevated. Project delivery at Kurmuk and Sadiola expansions must stay on schedule to achieve planned cost declines.
Forecast
Zacks Rank #1 with B Value, A Growth, and F Momentum score suggests estimate support driven by growth, though the near-term trend is uneven. The chart shows a rebound with 2026–2027 EPS estimates creeping higher, but earnings beats have been inconsistent; solid Q4 and early-2026 execution would help confirm the uptrend.
Forum Energy Technologies (FET)
$41.90 USD +1.10 (2.70%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
Premium Research for FET
- Zacks Rank
Strong Buy 1
- Style Scores
C Value A Growth F Momentum B VGM
- Market Cap: $476.74 M (Small Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth:163.95%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth: 370.00%
- Last EPS Surprise:42.11%
- Next EPS Report date:Feb. 19, 2026
Our Take:
Reasons to Buy
Forum supplies oilfield and subsea equipment with a growing international mix. Q3 2025 adjusted EBITDA jumped 13% while free cash flow exceeded guidance and backlog increased 21%, evidence of healthier demand in offshore/subsea and international markets versus prior periods. Its ability to expand market share even in a challenging environment is a major positive. Management raised full-year free cash flow guidance, underscoring improving fundamentals and order visibility.
Potential Risks
Earnings are still sensitive to upstream capex cycles and offshore timing. Leverage and profitability recovery remain watch points if orders slow.
Forecast
A Zacks Rank #1 with C Value, A Growth, and F Momentum score implies positive estimate revisions driven by improving growth metrics, with less help from short-term price trend. The chart shows a sharp price upswing while longer-dated EPS lines have turned higher. Surprises have been mixed, so sustained order conversion will be key to extending the move.
Best Stocks to Buy Now: How to Use This List
It’s important to understand what this list is, and what it isn’t.
For decades, the Zacks Rank has been a proven system that has helped investors identify stocks most likely to outperform. Instead of relying on hunches or hype, it’s grounded in earnings estimate revisions — a factor strongly correlated with stock price movement. When combined with additional fundamental metrics, the approach becomes even more powerful.
Still, it’s important to understand these basics:
- While the list offers exposure across several industries, it is not a fully diversified portfolio. You should think of it as a starting point, not a complete investing strategy.
- Even though these stocks are backed by a proven system, nothing protects you from short-term downside. Depending on market conditions, most — or even all — could decline in the near term.
- The Zacks Rank works because it captures trends in earnings momentum. That power plays out over weeks and months, not days. Investors with patience and discipline are more likely to benefit.
- Before buying any single stock, check how it aligns with your goals, risk tolerance, and broader portfolio.
Methodology
The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that uses trends in earnings estimate revisions and earnings-per-share (EPS) surprises to classify stocks into five groups: #1 (Strong Buy), #2 (Buy), #3 (Hold), #4 (Sell) and #5 (Strong Sell). The Zacks Rank is calculated through four primary factors related to earnings estimates: analysts' consensus on earnings estimate revisions, the magnitude of revision change, the upside potential and estimate surprise (or the degree in which earnings per share deviated from the previous quarter).
Zacks builds the data from 3,000 analysts at over 150 different brokerage firms. The average yearly gain for Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks is +23.62% per year from January, 1988, through June 2, 2025.
For this list, only companies in the top 50% of industries that have average daily trading volumes of 100,000 shares or more were considered. Stocks with a share value of $5 or less were excluded. These companies earned Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) between Jan. 6, 2026 and Jan. 17, 2026. All information is current as of market open, Jan. 19, 2026.
Common Questions of New Investors
Where to Buy Stocks
To invest in stocks, you must open a brokerage account, fund the account and purchase stocks through your selected brokerage. Investors may also purchase stocks through a financial advisor or an automated robo advisor. Some publicly traded companies also offer a direct stock purchase plan, where you can purchase shares directly from the company.
Alternative Ways to Invest in Stocks
You can also invest in stock funds, such as mutual funds, index funds and exchange-traded funds, where the fund managers select the pool of stocks that follow an investing strategy. These funds may broadly cover an entire index, such as the S&P 500, or specific types of stocks, such as industries like technology and energy companies, company size such as small cap companies, or location like international companies.
How to Start Investing in Stocks Today
It’s easy to start investing by opening an online brokerage account. Opening a standard brokerage account takes about 20 minutes and you’ll need to have some personal information ready, such as your social security number and your bank details to fund your account.
You’ll need to decide whether to open a taxable account (most common), a tax-deferred retirement account such as a traditional IRA or a tax-free retirement account such as a Roth IRA, which is funded with after-tax dollars, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free. A margin account allows for borrowing to purchase stocks and is best for experienced traders.
Set goals before you begin investing – determine how much you can afford to invest and your tolerance for risk.
What to Look for When You Buy Stocks?
The goal in all equities investment is to buy low and sell high, growing your wealth over time. Researching the companies to invest in is key – what kind of product or service do they offer? How do they compare with competitors? How fast are they growing? Does the stock pay regular dividends to shareholders? Does the stock help diversify your portfolio by giving you exposure to a market segment you currently don’t hold?
Understanding fundamental analysis can help determine whether the stock has the potential for growth at its current purchase price. Factors that can help determine that include earnings per share (EPS), price-to-earnings ratio and PE growth. Technical analysis is used looking at statistical patterns to potentially predict future price moves. Some investors may look for a growth and income strategy, looking for stocks with solid revenues that pay good dividends, or a value strategy, looking if a current stock price is below what their revenue, EPS and other factors suggest.
Analysts also often look for the momentum of a stock by looking at moving averages of a stock's closing price over a 50-day, 100-day or 12-month trailing time period to determine signals whether to buy or sell a stock.
